Paul S. WARAICH

PAUL S. WARAICH, MD Paul was born in Hamilton on August 24, 1971, the son of Gurpuran and Marianne Singh Waraich, grandson of Hubert and Victoria Ramaekers and Capt. Gurdial Singh and Harbans Waraich. He grew up in Burlington but spent 4 years studying at St. John's High School in Chandigarh, India, returning to Canada at age 16 to attend Pearson high school in Burlington. While he excelled academically, he was also active in school plays, cast as Fagin in Oliver and Sir Evelyn in Anything Goes. Like his parents, he attended University of Toronto, where in his 3rd year at University College, he applied for medical school and was accepted at U of T, Queen's University and McMaster University. He chose McMaster and on completion decided to specialize in psychiatry at University of British Columbia, having seen the ravages of mental illness and knowing there was a lot to be discovered in the field. He was a dedicated professional who contributed to mental health research and literature and taught at Simon Fraser University and UBC. He was developing innovative ways of delivering psychiatric services so treatment would be more accessible for everyone but his life was cut short by an aggressive form of cancer and he died after 7 months on March 3, 2023. Paul was in charge of his case to the end, seeking out trials and coordinating his treatments in a health care system severely over taxed. The love of his life were his children, Claire and Madeleine, to whom he was devoted. He enjoyed the finer things in life: musea, art galleries, gourmet meals, dancing, singing, continuously exploring new music and going to concerts and festivals. He loved an intelligent exchange of ideas in the pursuit of knowledge. He had a passion for travel and exploring the wider world in order to broaden his horizons, which he did constantly. He was a man of taste, a sharp dresser with a cutting wit who used to say that while hard work is important, life is not worthwhile without fun. Paul's life was centered around compassion. Compassion for his daughters, his family, his friends and those he worked with, which he demonstrated through acts of service. He was an attentive listener; the person many turned to because of his gift of being able to offer just the right insightful words of advice at the right time and was always there when you needed him. Doing so for so many brought him great joy. After fighting his hardest to continue to be there for his friends and family, Paul ultimately decided to die peacefully at home comforted by the presence of his mother, Marianne; his sister, Sonia; and his cherished daughters, Claire and Madeleine. He was deeply loved by those he leaves behind: his two children, mother, three sisters and many treasured friends around the world, all of whom will miss him terribly. Condolences may be sent to mariannewaraich@gmail.com. If desired, donations may be made to The Canadian Cancer Society - Cancer Research Department. www.smithsfh.com